“This includes replacement of both the frigate’s forward and aft masts, which has required us to develop innovative design solutions to minimise the impact on the ship’s weight and stability,” he said.

Mr Beer said that BAE Systems work during the installation phase in HMAS Perth would create more than 150 highly skilled jobs at its Henderson base in WA.

“The experience gained over the past five years of designing and developing this project has enabled BAE Systems Maritime Business Unit to enhance critical skills in complex maritime combat systems integration and platform systems integration.

“These skills are crucial to maintaining the capability that will be needed for next generation naval programs such as the Future Frigate and the Offshore Combatant Vessel projects,” Mr Beer said.

Taiwan wants to buy F-16 C/D series from US and upgraded their F-16 A/B (photo : Airliners)

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has approved an arms sales package to Taiwan worth more than $6 billion, a move that has enraged China and may complicate President Obama’s effort to enlist Beijing’s cooperation on Iran.

The administration deferred a decision on selling F-16 fighter planes to Taiwan, administration officials said, but they pointedly added that they were not shutting the door to future F-16 sales.The last time the United States sold F-16s to Taiwan was in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush. In response, China threatened to withdraw from international arms control talks and retaliated, many China experts contend, by selling medium-range missiles to Pakistan.“We continue to study it,” a senior administration official said of the possible F-16 sales. “We will look at it from the perspective of what its impact would be on Taiwan’s air defense capability.”

The arms package announced Friday is primarily defensive, and includes 114 Patriot missiles worth $2.82 billion, 60 Black Hawk helicopters worth $3.1 billion and communications equipment for Taiwan’s F-16 fleet. The package also includes Harpoon missiles and mine-hunting ships, the Defense Cooperation Security Agency said in a statement.

The Chinese reaction was swift, and negative. China’s vice foreign minister, He Yafei, issued a diplomatic message to the State Department expressing his “indignation” over the pending sale, said Wang Baoding, the spokesman at the Chinese Embassy in Washington.

“We believe this move endangers China’s national security and harms China’s peaceful reunification efforts,” Mr. Wang said in an interview. “It will harm China-U.S. relations and bring about a serious and active impact on bilateral communication and cooperation.”

China experts said that Beijing was likely to cut off military-to-military cooperation with the United States in retaliation, and that President Hu Jintao might boycott Mr. Obama’s planned nuclear security summit meeting in April.

Taiwan will receive 60 Blackhawk helicopters (photo : Military Today)

The relationship between the two countries may deteriorate more if Mr. Obama meets, as he is expected to, with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Mr. Obama put off meeting with the Dalai Lama last year to avoid angering Beijing before his visit to China in November, a decision that received strong criticism from human rights activists.Gen. James L. Jones, the national security adviser, said Friday that the announcement should not “come as a surprise to our Chinese friends,” adding that the Obama administration was “bent on a new relationship with China that goes beyond arms sales to Taiwan.” Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, General Jones sought to play down the escalating tensions between the United States and China.Those tensions have been on full display since Mr. Obama traveled to Beijing in November. While Mr. Obama and Mr. Hu promised to conduct regular exchanges and to work together on a number of issues, they did not reach an agreement on how to move forward on Western efforts to rein in Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Obama administration officials now say that they view China, not Russia, as the main stumbling block on efforts to get a Security Council resolution that would impose additional sanctions on Iran.

A month after Mr. Obama went to Beijing, China blocked his efforts to reach a meaningful climate change agreement in Copenhagen. China announced this month that it had tested the country’s first land-based missile defense system, a test that Chinese and Western analysts said was timed to convey Beijing’s annoyance over the expected American arms sales to Taiwan. Throughout January, Chinese state news media have produced a torrent of articles condemning the expected sale.China views Taiwan as a breakaway province, separated since the civil war of the 1940s, and sees arms sales as interference in an internal matter. The American relationship with Taiwan is one of the most delicate diplomatic issues between Beijing and Washington.

The deal announced Friday is the second big arms sale to Taiwan in two years. When the Pentagon announced in October 2008, under the Bush administration, that it was selling Taiwan $6.6 billion worth of weapons, China froze military ties with the United States and did not resume the contacts until after Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited Beijing last February.On Wednesday, the Pentagon spokesman, Geoff Morrell, urged China not to take that tack again. Responding to a question from a reporter before the sale was announced, Mr. Morrell said that “this relationship is too important to go through the fits and starts that we have over the years, where every little bump in the road results in a breaking of communication and a suspension of dialogue.”Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are both expected to travel to Beijing this year for high-level talks. Administration officials said Friday that they hoped China did not retract those two invitations.(New York Times)

Indonesia is buying sixteen EMB-314 Super Tucano aircraft, to replace twelve 1960s era OV-10s. The two seat, 5.2 ton, single engine turbo prop Super Tucano will be used for COIN (Counter Insurgency) operations. It can fly low and slow, yet still has a 1,000 combat kilometer radius, five hour endurance, 600 kilometers per hour top speed, and a 35,000 foot ceiling. The Super Tucano armament consists of twin 12.7mm (.50 caliber) machine guns and nearly two tons of guided bombs and rockets. Counter Measure equipment is available for defense against missiles.

The OV-10, at least in its prime, is a hard act to follow. The OV-10 is a 6.5 ton, twin prop aircraft that could carry over two tons of weapons and stay in the air for three hours per sortie. The first one was delivered to the U.S. Air Force, for use in Vietnam, in 1968. The last one was produced (for export to Indonesia) in 1976. The U.S. Air Force and Marines were the primary users of OV-10s, and the last of these was retired, by the marines, in 1994. Over a hundred were exported to Germany, Thailand, Colombia, Venezuela and Indonesia. Several dozen of these are still in use out of over 300 manufactured. In Vietnam, the OV-10 was used more for reconnaissance and directing air and artillery strikes, than in using its own firepower. But that's what irregular warfare was all about, finding an elusive enemy, and killing him. That's what the OV-10 was designed to do, and did it well.

Russia's Future Fighter Conquers the SkiesRussia's prototype fifth-generation fighter made a 45-minute maiden flight on Friday in the Far East, Russian television reported.The flight had been postponed for 24 hours due to poor weather conditions in Komsomolsk-on-Amur where the prototype is being tested.

"The plane showed a superb performance. It has met all our expectations for the maiden flight," said Olga Kayukova, a spokesperson for the Sukhoi aircraft manufacturer.Russia has been developing its newest fighter since the 1990s. The country's top military officials earlier said the stealth fighter jet, with a range of up to 5,500 km, would enter service with the Air Force in 2015.Russia's fifth-generation project is Sukhoi's PAK FA and the current prototype is the T-50. It is designed to compete with the U.S. F-22 Raptor, so far the world's only fifth-generation fighter, and the F-35 Lightning II.

The PAK FA is to be equipped with the most advanced technology and armed with next-generation high-precision weaponry.India, which has a long history of defense relations with Moscow, remains Russia's sole partner in the project.India's Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) was reported to be seeking a 25% share in design and development in the project. It has also sought to modify Sukhoi's single-seat prototype into the twin-seat fighter India's Air Force wants.

Moscow. Today in Komsomolsk - on - Amur hosted the first flight of an experienced aviation complex of the fifth generation. The plane was piloted honored test pilot Sergei Bogdan Russia. Prototype PAK FA spent 47 minutes in the air and landed on the runway of the factory airfield.

The flight was successful, in full accordance with the flight plan. "During the flight we had a primary assessment of controllability of the aircraft, engine and major systems, the aircraft made a full-time cleaning and landing gear. The aircraft proved itself well in all phases of our intended flight program. They easily and comfortably manage ", - said Sergey Bogdan.

Compared with previous generations of fighters, PAK FA has several unique features, combining the functions of attack aircraft and fighter.

Fifth generation fighter aircraft equipped with a fundamentally new avionics, the integrating function of e-pilot, and promising radar with a phased antenna array. This significantly reduces the load on the pilot and allows you to concentrate on the implementation of tactical tasks. On-board equipment of a new aircraft enables the exchange of data in real time as a land-management systems, and within the aviation group.

The use of composite materials and innovative technology, aerodynamic design aircraft, measures to reduce the visibility of the engine provides unprecedented low level of radar, optical and infrared visibility.This allows you to significantly improve the combat effectiveness in the work, both by air and ground targets, at any time of day, in simple and adverse weather conditions.

"Today we started a program of flight tests of fifth generation fighter aircraft. This is a great success of Russia's science and engineering thought. For this achievement is worth more than a hundred co-operatives allied enterprises, our strategic partners. PAK FA program displays Russia's aircraft manufacturing and related industries on a qualitatively new technological level. These planes, along with modernized aviation system of the fourth generation will determine the potential of Russian military aircraft in the coming decades. The plans of the Company "Sukhoi" is included and further development of the Program PAK FA, on which we will work with Indian partners. I am confident that our joint project will surpass the Western counterparts by the criterion of cost-effectiveness and will not only strengthen the defensive power of the Air Force of Russia and India, but will take its place in the world market ", - said General Director of JSC" Sukhoi "Mikhail Pogosyan, Commenting on the start of flight testing.

Summary of Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft

Compared with previous generations of fighters, the fifth generation has several unique features, combining the functions of attack aircraft and fighter.

Fifth generation fighter aircraft equipped with a fundamentally new avionics, the integrating function of the e-pilot, and promising radar with a phased antenna array. This significantly reduces the load on the pilot and allows you to concentrate on the implementation of tactical tasks. On-board equipment of a new aircraft enables the exchange of data in real time as a land-management systems, and within the aviation group.

The use of composite materials and innovative technology, aerodynamic design aircraft, measures to reduce the visibility of the engine provides unprecedented low level of radar, optical and infrared visibility. This allows you to significantly improve the combat effectiveness in the work, both by air and ground targets, at any time of day, in simple and adverse weather conditions. Low visibility, aircraft performance and maneuverability allow to minimize the threat to the pilot, at the expense of the fifth generation fighter aircraft have increased survivability in difficult combat conditions, with the active counter air defense systems. Increased radius of combat use leads to greater autonomy of the fifth generation fighter aircraft in the implementation of the planned combat missions.Fifth generation fighter aircraft will complement the fleet of modernized aircraft complexes of the fourth generation, as well as to replace the aging fleet of combat aircraft. In the long term availability of the fifth generation aircraft in service will allow customers to optimize and structure of the park, due to repeated increase combat effectiveness and capacity to address a broader range of tasks with a single plane.Program to create long-term aviation system of the fifth generation is a technological breakthrough in the domestic aircraft industry, which allows to maintain a stable leading position of Russia on the international market of combat aircraft. In the world aviation there is a unique analogue of fifth generation fighter aircraft - is the F-35, a product of Lockheed Martin.The plans of the Company "Sukhoi" is the further development of the Program to create a fifth generation fighter aircraft and the creation of modification of aircraft with Indian partners. The joint project will surpass the Western equivalent to the criterion of cost-effectiveness and will not only strengthen the defensive power of the Air Force of Russia and India, but will take a worthy place in the world market.

THE navy has accepted into service four Adelaide Class frigates, about five years behind schedule, ending a troubled $1.5 billion upgrade contract.Speaking at the opening of the Pacific 2010 Maritime Congress exposition in Sydney yesterday, Defence Minister John Faulkner said valuable lessons had been learned during the upgrade, but the navy was now equipped with a lethal new capability.The delays resulted from a "significant underestimation" of the complexity of the upgrade at the start of the project in the late 1990s, Senator Faulkner said.The four US-designed Oliver Hazard Perry Class frigates -- HMAS Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin and Newcastle -- were acquired in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The Defence Minister conceded that, soon after being elected, the government had doubts about the viability of the upgrade contract because it was so far behind schedule. The frigate contract was put on the government's "projects of concern" blacklist."Changes in project scope, from six to four ships, and decisions in 2006 regarding the prime contract, resulted in an agreed new program schedule which I am pleased to publicly acknowledge, has now been achieved," Senator Faulkner said."The upgraded FFG is a formidable capability."We have learnt valuable lessons from the FFG upgrade experience and more importantly we are delivering a significantly improved capability with substantial opportunities for further improvement."The frigate upgrade program was the most sophisticated and complex naval systems integration project undertaken in Australia, said prime contractor Thales (Australia) managing director Chris Jenkins..The warship makeover involved upgrades to the combat and fire control systems, air search radar, improved air defence and sonar and upgraded missile systems.Other improvements include installation of a modernised 20mm Phalanx "last ditch" close defence system and new lightweight torpedoes.It's expected that, following the upgrade, the warships will now be capable of deployment on operational duties to the Persian Gulf.The four warships are now the most lethal vessels in the navy

28 Januari 2010

On January 25 Lieutenant General Pongsak Ruhi Siri Wattana women executives group of research and development aircraft without pilots (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) or AV UK later in the award of Outstanding Research 2009 Annual office. Research Fund (Skw.) that same day. Current Thai military to focus on the UK AV is the first. In a major military parade in the building are military must be on the UK import version of AV Searcher by Israel of 1 set to patrol check. Instead of the past required the pilots control the aircraft. In addition to the high costs already. It will also avoid the danger to pilots who may be opponent attacks also listed the benefits of AV is designed to use surveillance and inspection. Also point target and image signals in real (real time) is increased accuracy in artillery fire made no savings in the number of the cartridge.

Ruhi female lieutenant Phong said that the aircraft without pilot made U AV to replace imports and loss of maintenance cost millions of baht each year. Efforts to study the possibility of creating AV UK. Own up to it occurs within the country. The initial set to meet the performance requirements of military ordnance division (Pl.p.) for reconnaissance missions to find and track targets investigator. Office of Research Fund (Skw.) and Office of Defense, military research and development (Swp.kh.) has sponsored research and development projects. Research and development of aircraft without pilots. The agencies use research scholars from 50 institutions of people knowledgeable in software and software development of the R project.

As a result of the development of prototype U AV more than 5 years, researchers have created the knowledge and experience in designing and building wireless systems, aircraft pilots and not less, and has deep knowledge base necessary for wireless aircraft. pilots. Both design and build aircraft without pilots. Flight control system. Aviation communication systems. Video signal processing systems. Systems connected to the geospatial system. Design and build equipment researchers and private companies in the country. Sales can be produced as a pilot training for military artillery division of the company sold 10 aircraft and Israeli Intelligence Agency ID number 24 has been the royalties of approximately 1 million baht was also the knowledge from this research project. Help with the negotiating team of the new system that classified military save at least 650 million baht, "the executive said research projects listed AV.

EADS subsidiary Australian Aerospace has promised to create 750 skilled jobs to build the NH90 NFH (Nato Frigate Helicopter) locally if it is chosen to replace the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of S-70 Seahawks and cancelled Super Seasprites.

The announcement came as an NH90 NFH started demonstration flying in Australia, with an Italian Navy example arriving on January 24 aboard an Antonov AN-124, and conducted a dipping sonar demonstration on Sydney Harbour as part of the January 26th Australia Day celebrations and demonstration flights for key delegates at the PAC10 maritime exposition and conference. The NFH 90 is up against the Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin MH-60R ‘Romeo’ in the competition under Project AIR 9000 Phase 8.

“The job creation and investment Australian Aerospace is planning in Queensland and across the nation is unmatched in the helicopter industry,” said Australian Aerospace CEO Dr Jens Goennemann. “Our competitor’s helicopters are built in the United States – so there’s a straight choice between creating jobs in Australia and jobs in the US.”

“The NH90 NFH is, without doubt, the most technically-advanced anti-submarine, anti-surface ship combat helicopter in its class,” he added. “It has world-leading performance which would take Australian naval aviation to a new level of operational capability. It also features 80 per cent commonality with the MRH90 multi-role helicopter which Australian Aerospace is now delivering to the Australian Defence Force. This will help the Federal Government achieve its aim of increasing effectiveness and efficiency by reducing the variety of helicopters in service with the ADF.”

First pass decision on Phase 8 is expected to be made by federal cabinet’s National Security Committee in early February, with an announcement expected soon after. Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky officials are confident their more mature offering will carry the day, while Australian Aerospace is hoping its increased Australian industry package and more capable offering will prevail.

Australian Submarine Corporation's (ASC) new $120m shipyard, which will be the construction site for Australia's biggest defence project, the $8bn Hobart Class air warfare destroyer (AWD) programme, has been officially opened at Osborne, South Australia.Royal Australian Naval Reserve chairman Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie said that the shipyard represents a significant investment in Australia's naval future.

"The shipyard incorporates the latest production design features currently utilised in international naval build programmes," he said.

The state-of-the-art shipyard features dedicated AWD production facilities, new office accommodation for 400 employees, a wharf support building with office space and workshops, and a significant upgrade to existing facilities.

ASC's 14ha shipyard is part of Techport Australia and is located at Osborne, South Australia, adjacent to ASC's submarine maintenance facilities and the South Australian Government's common user facility.

GIFU (Kyodo) A prototype of the Air Self-Defense Force's next-generation transport aircraft performed its first test flight Tuesday in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, more than two years behind schedule due to structural integrity problems.

Code-named XC2, the two-engine jet is being developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

KHI started work on the plane in 2001 as part of a ¥340 billion government project.

The project also covers costs to develop the Maritime Self-Defense Force's next-generation antisubmarine patrol plane, which shares many parts with the XC2.

The plane is 44 meters long, or 15 meters longer than the current ASDF C-1 transport jet.

The aircraft is expected to be used on ASDF missions overseas.

The Defense Ministry had originally planned to conduct the first test flight in summer 2007.

The air force is seeking cabinet approval to buy six more Gripen jet fighters and upgrade six F-16 fighters at a combined cost of more than 20 billion baht.

Royal Thai Air Force deputy spokesman Monthon Satchukorn yesterday said a proposal had been submitted to cabinet to buy the Gripens for about 15.4 billion baht and upgrade the F-16 fighters at a cost of about 6.9 billion baht.

The air force hopes the submission will be approved by the cabinet today.

Gp Capt Monthon said the RTAF wanted the cabinet to approve the two projects in principle first so it had enough time to prepare its 2011 fiscal budget, which will be considered in May.

The two projects have been on hold since they were withdrawn from a cabinet meeting in May last year.

Gp Capt Monthon said: "If we cannot buy the Gripen fighters under the 2011 fiscal budget, this will affect the air force's operations planning."

He said the air force originally planned to upgrade 18 F-16 fighters at a cost of more than 20 billion baht.

The project was revised and will now be carried out in three phases of upgrading six F-16 fighters each time at a cost of 6.9 billion baht.

F-16 A/B fighters from Nakhon Sawan-based Wing 4 would be upgraded in the first phase, Gp Capt Monthon said.

"The air force is badly in need of the two projects," he said.

A military source said air force commander Itthaporn Subhawong met Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Friday to discuss the two projects.

The source said Mr Suthep reassured ACM Itthaporn the cabinet would approve the projects in principle with the budget arranged and disbursed later.

The air force had hoped to decommission its 12 US-made F-5 E/F fighters, in operation at the Surat Thani-based Wing 7 for 30 years, once it took commission of 12 new Gripen 39 C/D fighter jets.(Bangkok Post)

PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) and Eurocopter Directors celebrated today in Bandung the beginning of Airframe assembly for EC725/EC225 Helicopters, the latest version of the “Super Puma” family. This milestone highlights the excellent project coordination and relationship between the two teams. The first fuselage is expected to be delivered at the end of 2011.

Through this cooperation PTDI will produce Tail Boom and Fuselage for EC725/EC225 Helicopters until 2020. The production phase will start with the production of tail boom, in January 2010 and will be continued with the production of fuselage in May 2010. The first Tail Boom is expected to be delivered in October 2010, while the first Fuselage is intended to be delivered in November 2011. 6 Tail Boom units will be delivered in 2011, followed by 10 units in 2012 and then 12 units per year (one unit per month) during the remaining years until 2020.

Eurocopter chose PTDI as the main Supplier in the world for the airframe component on this family of helicopters. The work package will absorb no less than 50% of domestic share value from the manufacturing of elementary parts in more than 4000 parts and assembly of major component, in more than 500 sub-assemblies.

Eurocopter is assisting PTDI during the early stage of the cooperation (non recurring-phase) in the following areas: product planning and tooling; qualification of special processes, jigs and production facilities; certification of key production staff ; procurement planning and supply-chain management. The assistance will enhance DI capabilities to produce airframe for the most advanced transport helicopters.

PTDI signed a cooperation agreement on Airframe production with Eurocopter in the end of 2008. The cooperation is a continuation of long history of cooperation between PTDI & Eurocopter which began in 1978, when PTDI (former IPTN) began assemble SA-330 “Puma” Helicopter, then continued in 1981 with the production of airframe for AS-332 “Super Puma” MK I.

The failure of a generator aboard HMAS Farncomb is just the latest problem faced by its fleet of 6 Collins Class diesel-electric submarines – which are now reduced to just 1 operational vessel. That readiness issue presents an immediate financial headache for Australia’s government, and adds a longer-term challenge to the centerpiece of Australia’s future naval force.With just 6 submarines in its fleet, Australia’s current deployment set-up leaves little room for error. Even a normal setup of 2 in maintenance, 2 for training but available if needed, and 2 on operations makes for a thin line, given Australia’s long coastline and sea lanes. Instead, Australia currently has 3 submarines in “deep maintenance” and completely unavailable (HMAS Deschaineux, HMAS Sheean, and HMAS Rankin), 1 submarine back in port and facing indeterminate maintenance (HMAS Farncomb), 1 “limited availability” submarine fit for training (HMAS Collins), and 1 operational boat (HMAS Waller) that was in port for major battery repairs as recently as May 2009.

When crewing problems are added to the mechanical issues, Australia’s 2009 White Paper plan to build 12 diesel-electric fast attack submarines as the centerpiece of the 2030 Australian Navy is attracting questions…The current issue with HMAS Farncomb involves failures in 1 of the submarine’s 3 French Jeumont-Schneider, 1,400 kW/ 440-volt DC generators. As the Australian Department of Defence puts it:“The problem stems from the way some of the generators were manufactured. At no time was the crew at risk but investigations are continuing in order to determine the impact this deficiency might have on the remainder of the submarine fleet.”A generator failure is a serious issue for a diesel-electric submarine. The generators must power all systems on board, from oxygen generation to combat electronics, and also drive the Collins Class’ 7,200 shp Jeumont-Schneider DC motor. Given the dangers inherent in a submarine’s mission, electrical redundancy, back-up capability, and reliability are all critical.

There are fears that fixing HMAS Farncomb’s generator problem could require cutting open the pressurized hull. If that’s the case, repair costs would be high, and Farncomb would join 3 other boats in a long “deep maintenance cycle”. HMAS Deschaineux was due back in the water in early 2010. HMAS Sheean isn’t due back in service until 2011, and HMAS Rankin has no set date yet – it is merely “in queue” behind Sheean. While HMAS Collins has reportedly had its generators given a clean bill of health, investigation of the entire fleet’s generators is underway. If additional problems are discovered, the repair schedules for Deschaineux, Sheean, and Rankin become much less predictable.So, too, does the future success of Australia’s estimated A$ 36 billion future submarine program.One of the goals for the Collins Class program was to advance Australian shipbuilding capabilities, by creating state-owned ASC Pty Ltd. to build a foreign submarine design. ThyssenKrupp’s Swedish Kockums subsidiary was chosen to design them, based on the A19 Gotland Class. At 3,000t, their long-range design is the largest diesel-electric submarine type in the world.Launching a submarine building industry is very difficult, however, and using what amounts to a new design adds to that risk. The Collins Class has performed well in exercises with the US Navy, where it has scored successes against American Los Angeles Class nuclear-powered fast attack subs. On the other hand, it has also encountered a long-running sequence of issues, including significant difficulties with its (Australian chosen) combat systems, issues with acoustic signature due to mechanical faults, major program cost growth to A$ 6+ billion, and schedule slippage.

The effects aren’t just mechanical, or financial. Crew retention issues are exacerbated by low mechanical readiness, which restricts training opportunities and so limits the available pool of crew. That forces higher deployment rates away from home and family among qualified submariners, which in turn feeds back into low recruitment and retention.Collins was launched in 1993, and delivered in 1996. Its successor boats of class were commissioned in 1998 (Farncomb), 1999 (Waller), 2001 (Deschaineux and Sheean), and 2003 (Rankin). The persistence of serious mechanical issues, and very low readiness rates, into 2010 and beyond, raises legitimate questions concerning the long-term risks of Australia’s 12-submarine plan for its future navy.

Australia is a middle power with a small population, without a long submarine building tradition, and without an active submarine construction line. That it overcame these disadvantages to build and field the Collins Class is a respectable achievement, notwithstanding the problems that class as faced in service. At the same time, the strategic stakes in Asia are rising rapidly, and submarines are becoming more important as the country’s neighbors grow their economic and military power into the sea lanes around Australia. An expanded submarine force makes strong strategic sense as a key guarantor of Australian interests and sovereignty – but in some respects, any new program will be starting again from square one. Over a decade can be expected between the commissioning of HMAS Waller in 2003, and construction of any new submarines.

Does repeating the Collins program’s industrial structure for the core of Australia’s future defense risk creating the same cost and readiness issues in the new submarines? If not, why not, especially given the long interval between delivery of HMAS Rankin and future construction of the next submarine type? What are the strategic risks of treating the core of Australia’s future defensive posture as a make work program first, and a defense program second? What savings might be had by simply ordering some or all of the proposed 12 boats from a foreign manufacturer? Should ASC become a wholly-owned subsidiary of whichever firm wins the competition to build Australia’s next 12 boats? Or should the 12-sub program just be scaled back sharply, as too big a risk for cost inflation and low value for money?

Some of these questions are already being raised, by politicians and media editorials. Unless these readiness and technical issues can be turned around, Australia’s governments, of whatever party, should expect more questions.

The successful signing of a radar simulator procurement contract between Beca Applied Technologies and the Royal New Zealand Air Force has been announced by the RNZAF Capability Directorate.

The P-3K2 Orion radar trainer acquisition was endorsed by former Assistant Chief of Air Force Capability, Group Captain Tony Davies, and Beca Applied Technologies General Manager, Mr Thomas Hyde, at the recent Defence Industry Conference in Wellington.

The radar trainer is designed to simulate the ELTA 2022 radar fitted to the P-3K2 Orion and will be used to prepare ab-initio radar operator students for whole-of-crew integration and flying training.

The radar trainer design is based on a development of the P-3K Orion upgrade project training system, for which Beca Applied Technologies already provide support as an established long term partner.

Assimilation with existing training resources will permit the radar trainer to operate using the same controls and displays as the aircraft, which is important for supporting efficient and high value training. In addition to this, upgrades to the radar trainer can be easily harmonised with improvements made to the aircraft, which means the simulation has the potential to remain effective throughout the complete P-3K2 Orion operational life cycle.

The radar trainer will consist of six student workstations and three controlling instructor operator stations, similar to the illustrated concept drawing.

The design includes a comprehensive training scenario development capability for creating, managing and delivering realistic training exercises using a wide range of vehicles and environmental conditions.

All key P-3K2 Orion radar functions and characteristics have been included in the radar trainer design specification, which supports the achievement of high training standards and effective preparation for operating the real radar in the air.

The development of the radar trainer has been rapid since the contract signing, with the preliminary design review already successfully completed.

Delivery to the P-3K2 Orion Training Design Team is scheduled for late 2010, when the radar trainer will be integrated into P-3K2 Orion Squadron transition and operational conversion training courses.

26 Januari 2010

MANILA, (Xinhua) -- The Philippine military on Monday commissioned six upgraded Armed Personnel Carriers which it said will boost its capability in fighting threat groups, particularly the leftist New People's Army.

"The launching marks a step towards the military's efforts to upgrade its fleet of APCs. The new armored vehicles will play a key role in supporting the nation's Security Operations," said the military public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner.

The upgraded APCs, with a combat weight of 10.7 tons each and a 13-soldier seating capacity, have lesser maintenance cost and have extended life cycle that will enhance the military's operational performance.

Philippine's Army with the upgraded M-113 (photo : Timawa)

Brawner said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved the acquisition in 2003 after market analysis showed that it was cheaper to procure a complete unit rather than upgrade the current 20 vehicles in the country.

Bangit said the six APCs will be deployed and tested in Masbate, which Philippine Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said may be the next flashpoint of violence after Maguindanao. More troops have been infused to Masbate due to almost daily killings.

Bangit said these APCs will eventually see action against communist insurgents which President Arroyo wanted defeated on or before her term ends in June this year.

When asked if the APCs will hasten the defeat of the NPAs, Bangit said: "Anything that is an added capability to the army or the armed forces will be a big boost to our desire to achieve our mission by 2010."